Shoe-tying machine



(No Model.)

v 2 Sheets-Shem; 1. AW. WEEKS & vL. ST. CLAIR. SHOE TYING MACHINE- No. 274,2Q6. Patented Mar. 20,1883.

WITNESSES": r HVENTOR: I I I a I MW w ATTORNEYS.

N, PETERS. Pholn-Lnhogmpher, Washi oooooo c.

(No M00181.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. W. WEEKS & L. ST. CLAIR. SHOE TYING MAGHINE No. 274,236. Pater lted Mar.20, 1883.

w AWN mimnm WITNESSES:

Lithcgnpha Walhinglon, u. c,

i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT W. WEEKS, OF WORCESTER,'AND LAWRENCE ST. CLAIR, F LYNN,

MASSACHUSETTS. 4 A

SHOE-TYING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,236, dated March'QO, 1883.

Application filed November 15, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, ALBERT W. WEEKS,

of Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, and LAWRENCE ST.

CLAIR, of Lynn, Essex county, Massachusetts,

have invented a new and Improved Shoe-Tying Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of our invention is to provide a 1 new and improved machine for tying the rear ends of shoes together, so that the two shoes of one pairwill be held together.

This invention consists in a machine for tying. shoes, in which the knotting devices are l 1 contained within the standard for receiving the shoe, so that the said knotting device will be entirely within the shoe while the same is being tied to the other shoe. The reciprocatin g needle carrying the cord is contained within the standard opposite the one carrying the knotting device, and the knotting device, the

reciprocating needle, and the presser-foot are all operated by one and the same-shaft The invention further consists in a knotting 2 device formed of a reciprocating latch-rod, which is surrounded by a reciprocating and rotating sleeve provided at one end with a tongue, which carries the cord around the latch rod,and then places it onthe end of the 0 raised latch of the said latch-rod.

- The invention further consists in the combination, with a shoe-tying machine, of adevice for stopping the machine every time a knot has been made.

The invention also consists in various details and parts and combinations of the same, as will be fully described and set forth hereinafter.

Reference ism be had to the accompanying 4o drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a longitudinal elevation of our improved shoe-tying machine. Fig. 2is' a ion- 5 gitudinal elevation of the upper part of the same, showing the manner of tying the knot within the shoe. Fig. 3 is asectional plan view of the same on the line (1 m, Fig. 1. Fig. .4 is a longitudinal elevation of the knotting 5o device, showing the knot completed. Fig. 5

is a detail perspective view of the tube through which the needle passes the thread before the knot is formed. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cam-wheel for reciprocating the needle bar. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the com- 5 .bined sprocket and cam wheel for rotating and reciprocating the sleeve surrounding the latchrod. Fig. Sis an, end elevation of the knotting device and of the chain and sprocket wheels for driving it. Fig.9 is a perspective view of the grooved cam for reciprocating the latch-rod of the knotter. Fig. 10 is a longitudinal elevation of the latch-rod and the knotter. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same.

Two standard-frames, A and B, are secured on a base, A, of which frame B has its shanks curved so as to tit within the rear part of a shoe. A need1e,'C, is held-in the end of a longitudinally' and horizontally moving needle- 76 rod, 0, which can be moved longitudinally by a lever, C pivoted on a cross-piece of the frame A, and having its upper end passed through a longitudinal slot in the rod E.

The lower end of the lever C is provided with an anti-frictiou roller and passes into a cam-groove, a, of a cylinder, a, mounted on the main shaft D of the machine, which shaft can be rotated by hand-power or by machinery. The cord d, which is contained on a spool, D, on the frame A, passes over a roller, d, through an eye, d and through an eye, (1 at the end of rod 0', and is then passed through the eye of the needle C. A presser-foot, E, is attached to the end of a rod, E, and is adapted to move 8 longitudinally in the frame A, parallel with the needle-holding rod C, which rod E is pressed in the direction toward the other standard-frame, B, by asprin g, E Alever, E pivoted in the cross-piece ofthe frame A, has its upper end resting against a projection, e, of

' the presser-foot rod, and the lower end resting against a cam-edge of the cylinder at, whereby when the shaft D is rotated the presser-foot will be drawn from the standard-frame B for 5 a short time. A tube, F, is journaled in two hangers, I), projecting downwardjrom the top cross-piece of the frame B, at or near the middle of the same, and the said tube F is provided with a sprocket-wheel, F, over which a mo direction from the inner surface of the heel end of a shoe placed over. the standard-frame B.

On that end of the tube F toward the inner shank of the standard-frame B an arm, H, is provided, which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tubeF, and is provided at its free end with a small rectangular finger, H, which projects from the end of the arm H toward the longitudinal axis of the tube F, and then atright angles,

parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tube F and in the direction from the end of the same, and having a slight outward curve at its extremity, as is shown in Fig. 1.

In the inner upright shankof the frame B a short piece of tubing, J, is secured, which is in line with the tube F and directly opposite the end of the same. The said tube J is flush with the outer surface of the shank of the frame B and projects from the inner surface of the same. The tube J is provided in its top with a longitudinal slot or recess, f, and with a slit, f, in the side, and above the said slit it is provided with a laterally-projecting lug or plate, J. At curved tongue, g, is formed, which is provided with a small groove, g, through which the thread or cord can pass,in a manner that will be described hereinafter. The needle 0 passes through an aperture, of, in the standard A, at the side of the tube J, as shown in Fig. 3. A recess, h, is formed in the. end of the tube F for receiving the end of the needle. A lever, K, pivoted in a cross-piece of its lower end resting against the side of the sprocket-wheel G, which is provided with a cam projection, G and the upper end of the lever K rests against the flat surface of a disk, F made integral with the sprocket-wheel F.

A latch-rod, L, which fits into the tube F, is provided at one end with an upwardly-projecting prong, Z, and with a curved pivoted finger, m, on the lower end of which a spring, m, rests, which is secured in a groove in the under side of the rod L, whereby the end of the finger m will be held from the end of the prong Z. The pron g1 and the finger m project from the end of the tube F,'provided with the arm H and finger H. Into the opposite end of the latch-rod L the upper end of a lever, N,

- passes, the lower end of which rests against the cam-edge of a cam-sleeve, O, mounted on the shaft D, against which cam-edge the lower end of the said lever N is pressed by a spring, P, of some suitable construction.

A sliding piece, Q, is contained in a longitudinal groove in the shaft D, and is pressed toward the outer shank of the frame A by a spring within the said groove. A flat ring, 1t, surrounding the shaft D, is secured on the presses the same in the direction of the arrow wthat is, in the the inner end of the tube J a.

the frame B, has

outer surface of the said shank of the frame A, and is provided with a vertical slit which extends through the thickness and .width of the ring. Thus every time after the shaft has madeone revolution it will be locked inplace by the sliding piece Q, which is forced into the slit of the ring R by the spring, and as long as the said sliding piece is in the slit of the ring R the shaft cannot turn. The said ring is secured on the standard of the frame A, and the slide-piece is held in' the shaft D'. As soon as the machine is to be started the sliding piece is withdrawn from the slit in the ring It by means of a lever, S, on the frame A.

It will be understood that the construction and arrangement of the plate A and of the frames A and B may be varied--as, for instance, the plate A may be placed as shown by dotted lines A, Fig. 1, and that portion of the works above the said plate may be inclosed in covered frames or cases A and B, in which the pivots of the operating-lever will be located, in which arrangement the shaft D will be journaled in hangers below the said plate.

The operation is as follows: The needle is threaded in the manner, shown, and a shoe is placed on the standard-frame B, as shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1, the presser-foot having been previously withdrawn to permit passing the shoe over the said frame. If the shaft D is then rotated, the lever 0 moves the needlerod 0 and the needle 0 in the direction of the arrow or, and the needle passes through the shoe and the aperture a until its end passes into the recess h in the end of the tube F. By this time the spring E has pressed the presserfoot E against the shoe and rests against the thread of the adjoining side of the needle. By the action of the cam-cylinder 0 and the lever N the latchrod L has been moved in the inverse direction of the arrow :0 until the raised finger m passes into the slitf in the tube J. By the action of the cam-cylinder a the rod Cis now slightly withdrawn in the inverse direction of the arrow at. That part of the cord at on the side of the needle toward the presser-foot is pressed against the needle by the presser-foot, and when the needle moves in the inverse direction of the arrow as the said part of the cord will be withdrawn; but the cord on the other side, which restsloosely against the needle, will not be withdrawn,and forms a loop into which the curved finger H, at the end of the rotating tube F, passes, and carries the two strands that form the loop over the latch-rod L, behind the raised finger m, until the two strands formingthe loop have been drawn completely over and around the said latch-rod. By this time the lever 0 under the action of the cam-cylinder a, will have withdrawn the point of the needle in the inverse direction of the arrow 00 from in front of the tube J-that is, withdrawn it to such an extent that the end of the needle does not project beyond the end of the tube J. When the IIO finger H has arrived above the upper surface of thelug J of thetube J thelever K, which is acted upon by the cam projection G of the sprocket-wheel G, pushes the sleeve or tube Fin the inversedirection of the arrow as, andas the sleeve is being turned at the same time, the loop, resting on the finger H, will be carried over the edge of the lug J" until the loop is opposite the point of the raised finger m of the latch-rod, and in the meantime the needle 0 has been withdrawn still more in the inverse direction of the arroww. Thenthe lower end of the lever N arrives at the large recess on the cam-edge of thecam-cylinder 0,

and the spring P, acting against the lower end of the lever N, throws the upper end of the said lever and the latch-rod L in the direction of the arrow at. At that moment the lower end of the lever K has arrived at the end of formed by the cord at is transferred the cam projection G on the wheelG, and the spring F then suddenly throwing the tube F in the direction of the arrow as, the'loop finger H to the finger m on the latch-rod L, under which raised finger m the loop passes.

By the sudden. movement of the latch-rod in the direction of the arrow :20, and by the closing of the jaw m, which is forced down when the latch-rod is drawn into the tube F, the knot is tightened and drawn within the shoe, upon which the shoe is removed. Another one is placed on the standard B, and the cord is knotted in the same, and so on.

Any number of shoes can be tied together. The shoes are united by a double cord, which forms a two-strand or loop knot within the shoe. Just before the knot is formed, and when the finger H has carried the loop around the tube J, so that the loop will be opposite the finger m, the two strands of the cord pass in through the tube J, up in the groove 9' of slit) of the tube J, and are the same, around the latch-rod L, behind the raised jaw m, and are then carried upward and across the two strands which pass through the then brought opposite the finger m, as shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent--- 1. In a shoe-tying machine, the standard B, constructed to receive the shoe over it and the knot-tying mechanism within it,.as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the frame B, of the tube F, having recess h, arm H, andfinger H, the tube J in line with tube F, and having the slitf, grooved tongue 9, lug J, and recessf, and the latch'rod L, havlng fixed jaw l and spring-pressed finger m, all arranged to operate in tying the knot, as described.

3. The combination, with a shoe-holding frame, B, of the reciprocating needle 0 and presser-foot E, the latch-rod L, having the fixed jaw l and'spring held finger m, the tube J, having the slitf, recessf, grooved tongue g, and lug J, and the rotary tube F, having refrom the 4. In ashoe-tying machine,'the combination,

with the standard B, containing the knotting device, of the standard A, containing the reciprocating needle-rod U, the presser-foot rod E, the levers O and E and the cam-cylinder a, provided with the cam-edge and the camgroove a, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a shoe-tying machine, the com bination, with a reciprocating latch-rod, of a reciprocating and rotating sleeve or tube surrounding the said latch-rod, and provided with a finger which seizes the cord or thread and carries it around the latch-rod, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a knotting device, the combination, with the reciprocating latch-rod L, of the sleeve ortube F, surrounding the same, and provided with a finger, H, and of the tube J, opposite the end of the tube F, and adapted to receive the end of the latch-rod L, herein shown and described, pose setforth.

7. In a knotting-machine, the combination, with the reciprocating latch-rod L, of the sleeve and for the purfinger, H, the tube J, provided with the lateral lug J, and of devices for reciprocating the latch-rod L and reciprocating and rotating the tube or sleeve F, substantiallyas herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a knotting device, the combination, with the latch-rod L, of the sleeve or tube F, surrounding the same, and provided with a finger, H, the tube J, the levers K and N, the springs F and P, the sprocket-wheels F G, the chain G, the cam-cylinder O, and the cam projection G on the sprocket-wheel G, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a shoe-tying machine, the combination, with the needle and presser-foot rods UE, of the levers 0 E the cam-cylinder a, and the rotary shalt D, whereby said rods may be operated at the times and in the manner described. V

10. In a knotting device, the latch-rod L, provided at one end with a fixed jaw, E, and a pivoted finger, m, which is held open by a spring, m,within thelatch-rod, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a knotting device, the combination, with the reciprocating latch-rod L, having a pivoted finger, m, at one end, of the sleeve or tube F, surrounding the said latch-rod L, and provided with a finger, H, and the tube J, provided with a lug, J, a longitudinal side slit,f, and a top slit, f, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purposeset forth.

12. In a shoe'tying machine, the combinasubstantially as F, surrounding the same, and provided with a 4 smear.

tion, with the needle 0, having an eye at its front end, of the needle-rod G, having an end eye, (1 the frame A, having eye d the pulley d, and the spool D, whereby the-tie-thread may be guided to the eye of the needle, as described.

13. The combination of the tube F, having sprocket-wheel F, the chain G, and the shaft D, having twice as manycogs as the wheel F, whereby the tube F may be operated, as described.

14. Thecombination ,withthespring'pressed tube F and latch-rod L, of the sprocket-wheel F, carrying the disk F, the rotary shaft D, having a cam, G on its sprocket-wheel G and a cam, O, on itself, and the spring-pressed lever N, having its upper end in the slotted end of latch-rod, whereby the latch-rod and tube F may be operated at the times and in the manner specified.

15. The combination, with the shaft D, of the slide Q, held by a spring in a long groove of said shaft, and the slotted ring R, made fast around shaft D to the frame A, whereby the shaft may be locked to the ring, as set forth. 2 5

ALBERT W. WEEKS. LAWRENCE ST. CLAIR.

Witnesses:

ALBERT D. SPAULDING, WELLINGTON CAMP. 

